Collection Development and Management

Chase, Matthew
Fall 2016

Citation:

Lehman, K. A. (2014). Collection development and management: An overview of the literature 2011-12. Library Resources & Technical Services, 58, 169-177.

Summary:

This article provides comprehensive insight into the collection development literature published during 2011 and 2012. The author examined the issues confronting librarians as budget cuts, space limitations, and the increasing emergence of digital resources arise. In order to thrive in the new digital world, Lehman pays special attention to how collection development and acquisitions strategies are shifting toward patron-driven demand. The issues presented by the author have also provided libraries with the opportunity of innovative thinking as they strive for balance between print anddigital collections with open access resources, shared collection building, and re-purposing space beyond ownership.

Evaluation:

In addition to being a bibliographic treasure of citations on collection development trends, the article also proves to be a valuable glimpse into the ever-changing direction of the subject. In particular, it offers innovative strategies drawn from other libraries on how to address issues affecting many communities today such as budgetary and space limitations. Yet these very limitations, as the author points out, have led to new ways of building collections that better reflect their intended users.

The Development of a Collection Development Policy

Chase, Matthew
Fall 2016

Citation:

Cabonero, D. A., & Mayrena, L. B. (2012). The development of a collection development policy. Library Philosophy and Practice, 2012, 1-23.

Summary:

This article presents an in-depth examination on how to develop a collection development policy. The authors administered a survey to the Eastern Luzon Colleges' students, faculty, and stakeholders so as to gain community insight into the library's current collection development practices, and how they met participants' expectations and perceptions. In critical comparison and assessment of the findings, the library was able to build a policy that reflected the needs of its campus community.

Evaluation:

This article functions as both a scholarly publication and a working template on creating an effective collection development policy. The authors promoted a more interactive experience for the community to engage in collection development, particularly at the policy level. It is useful since it can help justify current practices to stakeholders, winning their support so as to continue providing quality collections matching the needs and interests of patrons.

Establishing a Mobile Resources Collection Development Policy

Chase, Matthew
Fall 2016

Citation:

DeRosa, A. P., & Jewell, S. T. (2014). Establishing a mobile resources collection development policy. Journal of Electronic Resources in Medical Libraries, 11, 144-154.

Summary:

This article focuses on the collection development process for mobile resources in medical libraries. Specifically, the authors addressed the policies to be created on the evaluation and selection of these applications. Several criteria need to be established for these decisions such as user relevance, content quality, cost, and access. The article also discusses marketing strategies unique to a mobile resources collection as the library should utilize LibGuides, social media, and its website as prime promotional opportunities.

Evaluation:

 I found this article very relevant as my own library recently curated and marketed a collection of free educational apps for faculty and students. Following the guidelines and criteria provided would have made such an endeavor much more effective. As the authors indicated, clear channels of communications among curators is essential which makes it all the more important to establish a policy on the collection process. The marketing tools included also highlight the value of selectors in knowing how to effectively promote a unique collection.

 

How to Build a High-Quality Library Collection in a Multi-Format Environment

Chase, Matthew
Fall 2016

Citation:

Barstow, S., Macaulay, D., & Tharp, S. (2016). How to build a high-quality library collection in a multi-format environment: Centralized selection at University of Wyoming Libraries. Journal of Library Administration, 56, 790-809.

Summary:

This article brings up the growing trend toward the development of electronically formatted collections in academic libraries, which presents a host of new problems and insights for librarians. This trend has added further pressure on librarians charged with collection development as they navigate the increasing needs for library instruction and research help. The authors use the collection reconstruction prompted at the University of Wyoming Libraries to provide a visual demonstration of the impact had from the current direction of collection development and management. They conclude that as these collections continue to diversify in format, there is an increasing need and advantage to centralize the responsibilities to a select team of librarians with expertise on emerging trends in development.

Evaluation:

This article paints a transformative portrayal of the future collection development librarian, which is quickly becoming the present as evidenced by the University of Wyoming Libraries. There is definite promise in the centralized model presented by the authors, as keeping the responsibilities delegated to a small team of experts allowed for more efficiency in assessment and selection. However, the authors do admit to existing issues such as budgets. Although budgetary considerations were not much of a concern in their case study, they acknowledged that such limitations would slow down the process even with the new model, which isn't suprising to find. It would be curious to see such a model applied to a public or school library where budgetary limitations are a constant worry and obstacle.

Changes in Reference Assistance and Collection Development in the Digital Age

Chase, Matthew
Fall 2016

Citation:

Caton, S. (2016). Perspectives: Changes in reference assistance and collection development in the digital age. Legal References Services Quarterly, 35, 77-100.

Summary:

This article confronts the challenges of maintaining print and digital collections in law libraries. Drawing from his professional experiences as a law librarian, the author critically compares them to the extant literature and survey results to assess collection development in law libraries of various types. In particular, he found that while law students are increasingly using electronic resources, not all of them have the same skill or knowledge to access them. The impact of collection development and reference services are thus intertwined, requiring more collaboration.

Evaluation:

What I especially liked about this article is its acknowledgment regarding the often complex and mutual interaction between reference services and collection development. Although the author limited his study to law libraries specifically, this finding can be applied to other types of libraries as well and should be considered in both future research and practice. While print collections certainly retain their importance, the development of digital collections is leading to a transformative shift in how librarians are limited and enabled to assist the communities with their information needs.

Developing Library Collections for Today's Young Adults

Chase, Matthew
Fall 2016

Citation:

Pattee, A. S. (2014). Developing library collections for today’s young adults. Lanham: Scarecrow Press.

Summary:

This book addresses the complexities and issues surrounding collection development that specifically targets youth populations. The author highlights the many steps and procedures to an effective development, ranging from needs assessment to evaluation to selection and expansion to even the weeding and removal of collection materials. She balances the book by approaching the development of print materials as well as the digital, to reflect the diversifying and ever-evolving process to youth collections.

Evaluation:

I really appreciated the approach of the author to the topic, as she reflected on collection development as a cyclical process and she developed guidelines around that principle as a result. It allows librarians to adopt a more open-minded framework in their development of collections. For youth services in particular, this principle continues to grow in importance given the ever-changing trends in technology and the diverse needs of youth. Being advocates for youth then, as she explained, it is important that we as librarians also stipulate collection development policies to explain the mission and goals of the collection as to successfully navigate the concerns of adult stakeholders (e.g., parents) and still meet the needs of youth.

Developing an Outstanding Core Collection

Chase, Matthew
Fall 2016

Citation

Alabaster, C. (2002). Developing an outstanding core collection: A guide for librarians. Chicago, IL: American Library Association.

Summary

Alabaster's book provides a comprehensive step-by-step guide to the collaborative development of a library's core collection. She uses the case study of the Phoenix Public Library system to thoroughly examine the process. The author defines a core collection as one in which each title circulates regularly and reflect the current interests of the local community. She addresses the issues relating to core collection development such as budgetary limitations, lack of communication among library staff, and an inconsistent understanding of what constitutes a core title.

Evaluation

I found the book to be a great resource that sought to clarify the issue of what makes up a well-established core collection. In particular, her definition of a core title resolves the misunderstanding that they only concern the so-called classics of literature. She aimed to expand this narrow criteria to include any materials relevant to the needs and the interests of a library's community. Alabaster also adds the criteria of currency and usage to determine a title's status as part of the core collection. She highlights the importance of maintaining clear communication and goals, emphasizing the need for written collection policy statements and well-organized staff forums to discuss issues. While the book proves very useful, I thought it problematic in some ways. The case study of an entire library system was of particular issue, since they sought to develop a uniform core collection across all library branches, with each library being required to purchase the same core titles no matter budget and other limitations. There were several issues arising from this ambitious endeavor as the smaller branches didn't have the funding or space to match their larger counterparts. It also neglected to recognize that some core titles won't be as relevant to some of the branch communities being served.